FINAL COURSE REFLECTION

The Web 2.0 Course has been worthwhile and beneficial to me, not only to be used for teaching, but also how to enjoy the online resources I have available to me out of work!

In the first module, I continued to be more familiar with what Google has to offer, apart from being a search engine.  In another course I did, I learnt more about Google drive and google docs, so it was important for me to revise what I had learnt. Having learnt more about this, my team plans with Google drive, I can access it easily so it makes being a part-time teacher so much better.  I have various emails with Google now, (school level one, school email one, private one) so remembering passwords can be tricky, but I'm getting there! (Which is why I ended up setting up 2 blogs!)

The concept of setting up a blog was new for me, something which I had never done before.  Previously I would never have thought I'd have any use for that, but through the course I have seen that it can be very valuable in purposes such as these.  I definitely saw how useful it could be in the classroom, to make the place more of an online community.  The twitter information was interesting, and I have been enjoying Twitter a lot more lately, often following my own interests as well as for the classroom.

As mentioned, I have been using Google Docs on a regular basis, which has been extremely beneficial to all.  My team have been posting agendas, minutes of meetings, planners so I can access them easily.  As I only work 2 days at my school, these documents would usually be emailed to me, which would clog up on a regular occurence, (which is why the school now has gmail for all staff!).  It would be good for our team to draw upon the google docs more often to create tests or data if it was easier, this will be on the future agenda!

It was interesting to find out a bit more about Podcasts, although I was familiar with them.  Im already quite familiar with YouTube, and am continuing to find it useful in the classroom.  It will often help me locate a song which the children would like to find, songwords, or just general amusing videos! I use ITunes regularly with what I need at home, with songs, movies, apps etc.

The module about bubbl.us and prezi was very new learning for me.  I remember being shown bubbl.us a year ago, but never actually used it for any of my own teaching.  The brainstorming concept is very valuable in the way in which we teach, so to create it online with the children would be effective. The Prezi concept was great, and I used it in my teaching as I learnt it in the course.

These are the things which I gained most from in the course, and it has been an invaluable tool as I continue to move into the the age of 'ETeaching!'

MODULE 10

This Module gave me a few ideas for my personal classroom situation.  With the help of the course and advice from others, my team have created a blog for the year level.  In the clip about 'Ning' and virtual learning communities, there were examples of different students work being uploaded, and videos.  We have the children creating an inquiry project soon, it would be great if they could upload some of their work.  If children wanted to complete their individual work at home then powerpoint presentations or even videos could be put up there.  Its food for thought about our blog, and if we ever got into Ning or another virtual learning community.

MODULE 9

I found this Module really interesting, as I'm guilty of being one of those semi-obsessed people with Facebook, and frequently on some of the other sites.  The idea of using some of the social networking sites in or out of the classroom is a good one.  The 'Second Life' resource looked like it could be used in the classroom, but not in mine.  To me it seems more relevant to Secondary students, who would have good access to technology frequently - and could carry out tasks with more ease.  I understand how Twitter could be effectively used in teaching.  The way in which I have been using it is just for my own interests, I also follow some Teaching sites which I can get new teaching ideas from.  With Facebook, its also possible to share teaching ideas with colleagues - always effective if they are imparting knowledge that is recent.  These social networking sites have a place outside the classroom in my opinion, but can help inform teaching on the inside.

MODULE 8

This RSS module was interesting, and reminded me of some of the resources and websites I am familiar with.  When I recently joined up on 'Twitter' I found it was more than just a social media site, but another way of getting my interests directly to me.  I think this is very similar to 'Feedly', where you can input your interests, and get information forwarded from there.  It is a useful resource in that it would save time searching the internet for relevant information, and directly get it when its online.

MODULE 7

Module 7 was a new revelation.  I had not heard of the 'delicious' bookmarking tool before.  It makes sense to have an online bookmarking tool, when you may not have the same computer at all times to access the bookmarks.  I look forward to adding my own links to appropriate materials, and saving time  rather than typing in whole addresses. A helpful tool to the teaching websites we need.

MODULE 6

This module was quite interesting. I felt that the 'Picasa' google app was already quite familiar to me.  As I have an Apple Mac Laptop, I often save my photos on to my own computer, and can edit photos using the same kind of system.  (Such as red-eye reduction, lighter shades, different colours, cropping etc). This made this module easier for me to understand.  I did discover some different ways to edit as well, and its a great way to save photos online - ensuring they will never be lost! (I use a company called 'Snapfish' for the same purpose). Facebook is another way I also tag photos - but 'Picasa' is a great way of doing it with more commentary, and a specific private audience.  It was good to already have a small background of these ideas to complete this module!